For those who missed it, KUOW today broadcast an interview with, King County Executive, Susan Hutchison. You can find the interview at KUOW Weekday. In a prior post I had made the following observation which sparked a fair amount of discussion:

Ms. Hutchison has never held public office. She has never had to struggle with the political realities of governing a complex political entity whose ambits include not only roads and sewers but social services, neighborhoods and law enforcement. It is difficult to see how her experience on the board of the Seattle Symphony prepared her, in the slightest way, for such a weighty role.

If anyone had any doubt about Ms. Hutchison’s lack of specificity on issues, policies or even advisors, it is worth a listen (available on podcast). Pressed by the moderator to name a single advisor who she consults, or who she would bring to her administration, she flatly resisted naming anyone, except to say bus drivers. Her conclusion was “trust me” they will be great people. I have nothing against bus drivers, but maybe she could have named a couple of the guys that she intends to bring to the Hutchison administration that will “bring people together.” I’m sorry but calling Hutchison a “lightweight” does not begin to describe the chasm that is her lack of qualification to hold such an important post. Listen for yourself.

Notes From the Job Search is a group of individuals who gather weekly to discuss job search topics and compare notes with other local job seekers. Did you know that only a VERY small percentage of jobs available, are actually advertised? Helping you tap into the “hidden” job market is just one of the things we do. Weekly topics include resume reviews, mastering the elevator pitch, using online networking resources such as Linkedin, and more! The meetings usually run around 90 minutes, and everyone is encouraged to actively participate! No need to dress up – come as you are. We have nothing to sell! Our services are FREE! This is NOT a job fair. While you will probably NOT find a job at one of the meetings, we GUARANTEE that you WILL walk away from each meeting with a few new job search skills, a better resume, encouragement from your fellow group members, perhaps a few new network connections, and sometimes even a job lead! We continue to “lose” members as they find new positions, and we are always happy to see them leave. Please consider attending one of our meetings and see how we can be of assistance to you in your job search.

Currently we meet: Tuesdays at C and P Coffee in West Seattle at 11 AM Wednesdays at Green Bean Coffee in Greenwood at 3PM

Most people are aware that the greatest impediment to the start and development of the business is lack of capital. Tradtionally, banks only lend money to people who already have money. This makes it extremely difficult for would-be entrepreneurs to start a business — even one that is desperately needed. One solution to this quandry is the pooling of resources by a community to assist its members with the initial loan that gives them entry. The Asian and Latino communities already have models of this practice, the latter known as Tanda. Variants of this practice are known broadly as microfinance.

Microfinance refers to the provision of financial services to poor or low-income clients, including consumers and the self-employed.[1] The term also refers to the practice of sustainably delivering those services. Microcredit (or loans to poor microenterprises) should not be confused with microfinance, which addresses a full range of banking needs for poor people.[2]

More broadly, it refers to a movement that envisions “a world in which as many poor and near-poor households as possible have permanent access to an appropriate range of high quality financial services, including not just credit but also savings, insurance, and fund transfers.”[3] Those who promote microfinance generally believe that such access will help poor people out of poverty.

I would be curious to know if readers have any thoughts on this subject and how it might used as a tool to spur economic development and vitality in White Center and other areas.

No doubt you could have gotten this piece of news from the front cover of the New York Times or the Seattle Times. Apparently 1,400 of the initial cuts will come from the Seattle area. Here at Cafe Rozella we have quite a number of MS employees who use the cafe as their third office. The layoffs will significantly impact White Center and West Seattle. I have some calls out to some economists to give us a gauge of just how hard this will impact us. But make no mistake about it, this will have an adverse impact on Puget Sound are and White Center.

Make no mistake about it, this is bad news for Microsoft and the Seattle area. Since Microsoft got a license to print money in the mid-80s, it has never contracted. As if you needed another indication that this is not going down well, MS stock went down after the announcement. The money people view this as a portent of further ills to come. And even Ballmer, who never fails to spin a positive tale out of anything, was pretty circumspect in his outlook. Bottom line is that we are seeing a period of negative growth for Microsoft.

Ok, this is a heavily Democratic neighborhood but there seem to be some Rossi supporters in White Center land? I am inviting comments on who would be better for White Center, Dino Rossi or Christine Gregoire? Obviously, we have issues of housing, jobs, health care, affordability, crime, education, sustainability, greenspace etc… And I will gladly share my views. Forum’s open. Speak your mind.

Just got this job listing – and White Center Early Learning Initiative executive director Stephan Blanford is casting the net far and wide:

This is one (WCELI Program Director) that we’ve posted before and just haven’t yet found the right candidate. The person who takes the position will have a leadership responsibility for integrating many WCELI services into a seamless whole for the benefit of White Center residents. Requires a self starter, a systems thinker, someone that can build relationships in challenging situations – early learning experience would be a plus, but isn’t essential. Pays well – good benefits.